[Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or Not?
Desiree Oudinot
turtlepower17 at gmail.com
Fri Mar 22 20:30:14 UTC 2013
Hi,
While I won't speak for Peter, I'll give my own perspective on why I
choose not to join the NFB or ACB.
It's not about having a superiority complex. I don't consider myself
to be better than anyone who is part of an organization. however, I
like to draw my own conclusions, keeping politics and hidden agendas
at arm's length. That's why my involvement only extends as far as
listservs will take it. I feel that reading messages written by
individual members is a much more unbiased, not to mention realistic
view, of how the members of each organization live, work and interact
in day-to-day life. At a meeting or convention, there's the
expectation that one must carry themselves a certain way, say the
right things, be inspired by all the right catch phrases. That's not
limited to organizations for or of the blind, either, that's a fact of
human nature. When you draw a large number of like-minded individuals
together, and get them all to focus on one specific problem,
proposition, or what have you, the people will either put their best
or worst foot forward collectively. There is little time for
individual thought processes, emotions, or personalities to take root
and stand above the rest.
I am, by nature, very reserved, maybe I could even be classified as a
loner in a lot of ways. As I said, I think and draw conclusions best
when there are no distractions, no bells and whistles so to speak. I
take what is important to me, what fits in with my values and beliefs,
and apply it to how I live my life. I don't honestly feel that I need
to belong to anything to find my purpose, nor should I be told that I
have no purpose unless I'm at the forefront of every high and low
point in the organization's history. I am content with this, and I
feel that I have a right to speak out about it, since it's a viewpoint
which most who hold it would probably not be comfortable expressing
for fear of being blamed and shamed.
On 3/22/13, Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hello, Peter. I have not followed this thread, but I have looked at one or
> two of your posts. I think it is a shame that you will not join the
> American Council of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind. I
> suppose you believe there is some kind of superiority in being what you
> might call an independent. Perhaps you are right, but my own life
> experience indicates that having influence means joining with others of
> like
> mind, exploring how you can understand them and get them to understand you,
> and then acting together in a concerted way to bring about the better world
> we all say we want. One popular buzzword you can't help but hear if you
> listen to five minutes of the news is the word infrastructure, but there is
> a lot to be said for having a way to effect the change we want. For me
> this
> is the National Federation of the Blind. For others it is the American
> Council of the Blind. Though the organizations may disagree from time to
> time, one thing most all of us share is that we have made a commitment to
> blind people that extends beyond words. We are willing to put our time,
> our
> energy, and our money into helping you, whether or not you appreciate that
> we do so or ever raise a finger to help us. Much distance remains for us to
> travel, and we certainly can use a willing hand at the oars. Thanks for
> reading.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
> Wolfe
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 1:52 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or
> Not?
>
> In fact, the best method that anybody can teach you is improvization
> not
> technique persay. It doesn't matter where you get any information from on
> these things whether NFB, ACB, AFB, Lion's Club's or wherever as long as
> you
> get whatever information. Make-up yoru own techniques and sell a book for
> all I care as long as it works for you that is all that counts. I could
> careless as logn as you share the information with fellow blind individuals
> that is my thhing that it shouldn't matter what special interest group that
> your apart of cause we should all work together in dealing with a rotten
> situation to make it better. By the way, I'm never going to be part of NFB,
> ACB, AFB or any of them.
>
>
> sincerely,
> Peter
>
> On 3/22/13, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
>> Kelby,
>>
>> Your question is a fair one and I don't have a definitive answer. I
>> can only tell you that I received training before there were NFB
>> centers and I have been a reasonably successful traveler and have
>> generally managed my life successfully. However, in the work I have
>> done with BLIND Incorporated, I see that there are things I missed
>> when I was trained. I think I have picked up much of what I missed
>> primarily because of my association with others in the Federation. It
>> has more to do with being confident enough to try new situations and
>> knowing that I'll figure them out even if I don't know exactly how at
>> the start, and less to do with how many inches I swing my cane left
>> and right. In my opinion, and you may see this as a cop-out, it has
>> less to do with comparing the quality of one's travel skills and more
>> to do with whether one actually gets out and travels. These are not
>> easy things to measure.
>>
>> I know you some via e-mail and I think we may have met in the past,
>> but I don't know how well you travel, for example. What I do know is
>> that most of us are affected by the general attitudes that surround us
>> in a way that is hard to measure. Even though we have some idea of
>> what our capabilities are, unless we are exceptionally confident, we
>> are going to tend to believe it if we are uncertain how we would
>> accomplish a given thing and someone tells us we can't do it. I
>> believe there was a time when there was a clear dividing line between
>> NFB training centers and many other centers. We believed that we have
>> to affect one's attitude toward blindness and oneself while most other
>> centers believed that they need to concentrate on teaching techniques.
>> The common belief among some other centers was that changing attitudes
>> toward blindness was dictating a philosophy and was outside of their
>> mandate.
>>
>> Frankly, I think this has changed some over the years and that there
>> is a more general acceptance of the notion that one's belief in
>> oneself is probably as important as the techniques used so some of the
>> lines are not as clear as they once were. Still, I am skeptical of
>> how well attitudes can be changed in a couple of months, but of
>> course, it depends some upon the starting point of the individual.
>>
>> It was observed at one of our state conventions that we are not all
>> good travelers. The person making the observation, who shall remain
>> nameless, said that they felt a need to jump in and help but there
>> were too many people to try to help all at once.
>> However, they soon realized that good techniques or bad, people were
>> getting where they needed to go without assistance, and that what
>> appeared to be potentially frustrating to an observer was not the case
>> for the traveler. This isn't meant to diminish the role of good
>> travel techniques, only to make the point that there is more to travel
>> than techniques. Having said all this, though, I also believe that
>> what we have come to call structured discovery is a valid difference
>> in how one learns to travel. In some ways, it takes longer to learn
>> but provides a better base from which to work. Some of us who did not
>> attend NFB training centers have adopted this approach on our own to
>> some degree, but we would probably have adopted it more easily having
>> had training in an NFB center.
>>
>> I have seen somewhat of a pattern in a number of your messages.
>> Often, you start rejecting a position that some of us have taken.
>> Then, when you hear the stories that some have told, you seem to be
>> more open to the possibility that there are sometimes reasons for
>> positions we might have taken. I won't bore you with the details of
>> the time I almost missed a flight because I allowed myself to be
>> talked into waiting for a cart, only to have one not be available for
>> close to an hour, and how the airline employee refused to tell me
>> which gate I needed to get to. Anyway, some of what you are hearing
>> here would have been a part of your training at an NFB Center. You
>> would likely have been given the chance to interact personally with
>> people who had similar experiences so that you could ask them
>> questions. You can get some of this information here, of course, but
>> what about the many experiences that are not discussed?
>>
>> Still, I think it makes sense to be careful not to judge one another.
>> My goal is not to convince you how bad your training was, because it
>> might be all right. I feel pretty certain that there are things you
>> didn't get that you would have gotten had you spent time in one of our
>> centers as indicated above, but I don't really think that is the
>> point. The point is how can we help you now and how can you help us
>> and other blind people? Are there things you are not comfortable
>> doing that perhaps someone else here is comfortable doing? We could
>> even explore here some of the things that many of us have overcome as
>> a result of the encouragement from others.
>>
>> Sure, I'd like to have the words to make you see things exactly as I
>> see them, isn't that always true? In the end, though, I don't care
>> that much whether you believe there is a difference in training
>> centers or not. I care more that you have what you need to get a job
>> when you get out of college and that you are able to live as full a
>> life as you can live, and I believe there are ways we can help you do
>> that.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Steve Jacobson
>>
>> On Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:09:07 -0500, Kelby Carlson wrote:
>>
>>>I keep hearing this in NFB literature and from federationists-that my
>>>local training simply must have been far, far inferior to anything the
>>>NFB has. I have as of yet seen no actual compelling evidence for this
>>>claim, and no one I know well in the NFB has offered me convincing
>>>reasons as to why the training I have is bad. (Those who don't know
>>>me can't offer any reasons, as they don't know my context.) If NFB
>>>mobility is so wonderful, I wish they would allow people interested to
>>>pay for a little instruction to get a sense of their methodology in
>>>real space time rather than forcing people to commit to six to nine
>>>months.
>>
>>>Kelby
>>
>>
>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>From: cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu, 21
>>>Mar 2013 23:56:35 -0400
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>
>>>Well we all need good mobility skills. A dog is not a replacement for
>>>mobility skills. Whether you use a cane, sighted guide, or a guide
>>>dog.
>>>If you haven't been to an NFB School over the training you get locally
>>>then you don't know what you are missing.
>>>Never going to them myself. I have seen what someone with no
>>>knowledge of any of the services or very little in there own areas,
>>>and come back from our schools with the confidence and the mobility
>>>and the other services that are given there.
>>>If NFB is interested in forming a guide dog school on the NFB's
>>>philosophy then it comes with the first steps in mobility and then a
>>>dog. I have not been blind all my life. I lost my vision as an
>>>adult, and I learned the mobility and cane skills, my dog doesn't know
>>>when to cross the street, I have to give him the direction to do so.
>>>Know if I am mistaken in what is being said, I am the first to mention
>>>when I am wrong, but there will be a day that we will either not want
>>>to take our dogs places, by our own choice, or in between a dog, or
>>>whatever the issues are. That I know the skills to get me where I
>>>want to go whether it is with my Maxx or not.
>>>Have a great night all.
>>>Take care and god bless.
>>>Whatever decision is met and decided should be done with kindness to
>>>one another; and with the philosophy of the great organization.
>>>Cheryl Echevarria, PresidentNFB Travel & Tourism
>>
>>>Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State Leading the Way in
>>>Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible Travel Advocate!Cheryl
>>>Echevarria,
>>>Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@eche
>>>varriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012
>>>Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
>>>Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
>>>#1018299-10Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National
>>>Federation of the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser for
>>>the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other resources.
>>>Any vacation package booked between November 6 2012-November 6, 2013
>>>and vacation must be traveled no later than
>>>12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.
>>>Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for families and
>>>friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the affiliate
>>>as well. You do not need to be a member of the NFB.org, just book
>>>through us.
>>
>>
>>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:18:49 -0500
>>> From: kelbycarlson at gmail.com
>>> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>
>>> I'll echo what Cindysaid. There isno way I would give up that much
>>>time for mobility training I already had purely for the purpose of
>>>getting a dog. ZPeter said, I would go somewhere else straightaway.
>>
>>> Kelby
>>
>>
>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu,
>>>21 Mar 2013 21:56:01 -0400
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>
>>> When the NFB centers were started, many years ago, there was a real
>>> lack of quality training for blind people. I don't really think
>>> that's the case with guide schools. There are some schools which do
>>> things differently from others. But, there are people who prefer one
>>> approach over another. I don't really think that NFB needs to get
>>> involved with guide dog training.
>>
>>> As for Peter's suggestion that students would go through the nine
>>>month NFB center training, first, this will severely limit the number
>>>of people choosing to have training from an NFB guide dog school,
>>>should one be started. I don't know to many people who can give up
>>>a year of their life to get a guide dog.
>>
>>> Cindy
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Peter Donahue
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 2:25 PM
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>
>>> Good afternoon Julie and everyone,
>>> Julie and I have had many conversations on this issue in the
>>>past so she knows where I'm coming from. In line with her comments
>>>below I'd like to suggest a possible scenario for an NFB-run guide
>>>dog program:
>>
>>> Since we all ready have three orientation and adjustment
>>>centers for blind adults and youth there would be no need for a
>>>facility for housing students in training to be constructed. Hold
>>>on folks.
>>>Students
>>> wishing to
>>> obtain a guide dog from the NFB's program would be required to
>>>complete the
>>> 6-9 month program at one of the centers. During the student's
>>>"Bootcamp training" the center has an opportunity to come to know the
>>>student inside-out and will be able to furnish lots of background
>>>information on the applicant to the guide dog unit. Unlike current
>>>guide dog programs that must rely on references and other
>>>information that may be true or false the NFB guide dog program will
>>>have all ready had accurate information gathered for them by the
>>>training center and can be assured that the applicant is a suitable
>>>candidate for a dog.
>>
>>> This approach will also assure the guide dog program that the
>>>student is up-to-par with their cane skills and is capable of
>>>transferring them to the use of a dog. Students that successfully
>>>complete the cane travel component of their immersion training would
>>>be eligible to receive a dog.
>>> This
>>> approach would also permit students receiving a dog to complete
>>>other aspects of their immersion training minimizing the wasted time
>>>students often experience when at guide dog training facilities.
>>
>>> Students undergoing guide dog instruction would be required to
>>> wear sleep shades as they do when taking other center classes and
>>> participating in designated center activities. Like students who
>>> undergo cane travel instruction at our centers those training with
>>> dogs would be encouraged to travel on their own prior to completion
>>> of the training. In the beginning they could be accompanied by an
>>> experienced guide dog user/trainer but would be expected to travel
>>> and complete "Monster Routes" entirely on their own using their dogs.
>>
>>> As for the dog component of the operation I imagine it would
>>> operate similar to those of current guide dog programs. The program
>>> would operate its own breeding component or obtain suitable dogs from
>>> donations. The usual period of socialization and puppy raising
>>> wouldn't be that much different than is done by current guide dog
>>> programs. The dogs would return for a period of training when
>>> they're taught how to guide a blind person. Once the dogs are ready
>>> to be pared with their future blind owner they along with an
>>> instructor would be sent to the center where the student receiving
>>> the dog will be trained. Alternatively the NFB guide dog program
>>> could operate from one of our centers. Those wishing to obtain dogs
>>> once their "Bootcamp"
>>> training is complete would transfer to that center for training with
>>> the dog. Using all ready existing facilities to house students in
>>> training is one way to reduce the cost of training guide dogs.
>>
>>> The above is just one possible scenario of how an NFB-run guide
>>> dog program could work but I'm sure others would have additional
>>> ideas. If it's to happen at all the discussion must continue at a
>>> cost of 0 to participants. All the best.
>>
>>> Peter Donahue
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 8:08 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup
>>
>>
>>> I think the answer to protecting the dogs is two fold. First I
>>>would like to see a more in depth background investigation of the
>>>blind applicant. Do a criminal background check, require more
>>>references, ask the neighbors...whatever it takes. Adoption agencies
>>>place children into homes surely we can figure out a way to more
>>>accurately know what sort of situation the dog will be placed into.
>>>Secondly, I think there are already agencies in place for dealing
>>>with animal abuse, the police and animal control. I don't see any
>>>reason why these agencies can't be used in cases of neglect or
>>>abuse.
>>
>>> In regard to cost and the blind applicant absorbing the cost of the
>>>dog in order to own the dog outright is an extremely valid point.
>>>We
>>> have
>>> to stop expecting everything for nothing. I like the Seeing Eye's
>>>concept of charging the student. I do wish that the cost had
>>>increased over the years with the cost of living. It has been $150
>>>since the beginning of the school in 1928. I think that's the right
>>>year.
>>> $150
>>> was a very different sum of money then and now.
>>
>>> I also think that guide dogs can be raised and trained for
>>> substantially lower sums of money than $60,000. If you look at the
>>> various guide dog programs and how much each claims it costs to train
>>> a dog, the numbers vary widely. All those buildings, fancy food,
>>> excessive equipment and other niceties cost money.
>>
>>> Julie
>>
>>
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>>
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>
>
> --
> Cordially,
> Peter Q Wolfe, BA
> cum laude Auburn University
> e-mail: yogabare13 at gmail.com
> "If you don't stand up for something your willing to fall for anything"
> Peter Q Wolfe
> "Stand up for your rights"
> Bob Marley
>
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